DENR studies Manila Bay reclamation’s effect on quake evacuation plan

TAKING SHAPE Reclamation of this section of Manila Bay along J.W. Diokno Boulevard in Pasay City has been ongoing, as shown in this photo. Environmental advocates have expressed alarm over the impact of reclamation activities on Manila Bay’s marine biodiversity. (Photo by GRIG C.MONTEGRANDE)

MANILA, Philippines — The reclamation activities in Manila Bay may have an impact on government’s evacuation plans should the “Big One” strike Metro Manila.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga made the statement in a press briefing in the Palace on Wednesday.

Big One refers to an earthquake with the strength of magnitude 7.2 and up.

Government has an existing contingency plan called ‘Oplan Yakal’ for such a major tremor.

This plan divides Metro Manila into four quadrants or parts to speed up emergency response.

“The coastal areas facing Manila Bay will be among those that will be part of the separations, and the rescue and the relief operations were meant to come by air and by sea,” Yulo-Loyzaga explained the scenario.

She said while reclamation activities bring in economic boom, it is also important to assess the impact of these projects on the environment.

“We need to do the cost benefit analysis in terms of the impact to the ecology and the longer term impact in terms of possibly what could result from climate change,” Loyzaga reminded authorities.

“For example, sea level rise needs to be considered – the different possible geological events that could actually take place,” she said.

“As you know, there has been a lot of talk about the ‘Big One,’ the secretary cautioned.

“We do need physical oceanographer. We do need a chemical oceanographer. We need a fisheries expert. We need a biologist—marine biologist,” she enumerated.

“We need certain types of engineers in terms of the evaluation of the potential infrastructure that will be introduced,” she added.

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